“Please, I’m on birth control.”
He rolls his hips once, watching me closely. “Like this?”
“Yes, but more. Make love to me, Nathan.”
He moans and squeezes his eyes shut tightly, and I gasp when he pushes into me and lets himself go, muttering words I’d never heard him use in bed. He rarely said anything. He didn’t have to. I join him, running my fingers through his hair, down his back, further.
Still a quiet lover, he’s overcome with so much pent-up desire that he lets out his baser thoughts in undertones. I urge him on and let him know everything he’s doing right. Even though it’s like the first time for him, he instinctively remembers all the right ways to touch me, and he takes his time.
After, we hold each other under the covers. Saying little things. Sweet things. When we’re on the verge of sleep, he gently rolls me over to face him.
“Crystal?” he asks, brushing hair from my eyes.
Yes, I mouth silently. I’m too tired to speak.
“I’m ready for this. For us.”
CHAPTER 20
The Stranger
The weather’s perfect today. Clear blue waters for miles and a white-hot sun. The mid-December air smells fresh, alive, bursting with energy.
Just like I feel.
Crystal’s working, Natalie’s safe with Mads and Ms. Connor, and I’m about to take my first dive into the tunnels of the blue hole—Carter’s Drop.
I still haven’t gotten used to the name.
During the deck briefing, we confirmed today’s assignments and buddy pairings. I’m a part of something.
And nowI know who I am—Dr. Nathan Carter. Albeit with a terrible memory, but still.
The more I read through my journals and spend time with my family and friends, the more connections I’m making with my past. It all fits. Crystal says I’m the same man she fell in love with. Being together feels easy and natural. And I dream of her. Not the one lonely dream anymore. But memories. Each one building on the last.
After the last few nights, I should be exhausted. Instead, I’m exhilarated.
I can take on the world.
Scott walks over.
“You’re in a good mood,” he says. He’s trying not to smirk, but it’s not working.
I shrug.
“One of those nights, huh?”
“Maybe.”
He smiles and squeezes my shoulder. “I’m happy for both of you. Ready to do this today?”
“Absofuckinglutely.”
I’ve memorized the maps. I know the layout of everything charted so far. On the map I drew years ago, it’s just numbers and notes. Nothing’s labeled. The newer surveys show the names the team has been giving to the rooms and passages as they chart the system. TheMegaronis the biggest chamber. It’s the one I discovered the day I went missing.Hecateis the longest run of tunnels, and that’s where I’ll be going with Finn and Margaret today.
“I envy you. Jamie and I are stuck with Sid’s camera team. She wants to complete the footage of theMegaronfor her documentary trailers.” Frowning, he mutters, “Fucking cameras.”
Yeah. I don’t envy him.
